Verna L. Booth

Verna Leone Booth, 95, of Hudsonville, Michigan went to be with the Lord on the 14th of May, 2016 at the home of her daughter Nancy, surrounded by family. She joins her husband Willard “Bill”, son Ted, and her twin Verda Long. Verna was a longtime resident of Elkhart and Goshen; moved to Jenison, MI six years ago and was a resident of Sunset Manor.

Born in Millersburg, IN on December 15, 1920 to Ora and Hazel (Eisenbletter) Berkey, Verna graduated from Millersburg High School in April, 1939.  She received an Associate’s degree in business from Elkhart Business College.  After graduation Verna and a friend drove an uncle to Pasadena, CA where she later met Willard. They were wed six weeks later on November 6, 1944.  Willard was active duty in the U.S. Navy and she traveled extensively with him and held down the home front while he was deployed at sea several times for over a year at a time. Following retirement from Northridge High School guidance office, they settled in Lillian, AL for twenty years.

Verna is survived by daughter Nancy (Don), Hudsonville, MI; Kendall (Shirley), Bristol, IN; Brian (Jill), Sarasota, FL and Indianapolis, IN; two sisters Audrey Jean, Goshen, IN and Carol Lippincott, Wenatchee, WA.  She was loved by her many nieces and nephews along with 11 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren and they brought her great joy.

Reading was a favorite past-time and she read everything, loved walking, playing organ, crocheting and especially helping others.  Gardening was a favorite and she had a green thumb.  Bill and Verna were longtime members of the Gideons International and traveled with them.  She was often called upon by family for advice or for just a friendly ear to listen.  The stories she recounted from her travels and life were treasured and often recited with her wonderful sense of humor and infectious laugh.  She especially loved the Lord and could easily recite verses as they were a comfort to her and others.

Verna was a member of Sugar Grove Church of Goshen and attended Georgetown Bible Church of Hudsonville, MI. Memorial gifts may be made to the benevolent fund of Sunset Manor, Jenison, MI or Emmanuel Hospice, Grand Rapids, MI as they took such wonderful care of her.

Visitation will be Wednesday, May 18, 2016 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home where a 10 a.m. funeral service will take place Thursday, May 19, 2016.  Dr. Daniel Gelatt will officiate.

Burial will follow at Rock Run Cemetery, Goshen.